Collapsible travel seat for infants and the like

ABSTRACT

A collapsible seat for supporting an infant is provided. The collapsible seat is configured so as to obtain a relatively compact unit for convenient storage and easy transportation during periods of non-use. In that regard, the collapsible seat may include one or more inflatable sections. The collapsible seat may also include a removable, flexible cover, which may be designed with patterns, such as stripes, Polka dots, among others, or may be themed, such as with general characters, such as a mouse, cat, dog, etc., or with branded themes such as Disney® characters and the like. The collapsible seat may further include other features, such as an restraint system, headrest, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/724,825, filed Nov. 9, 2012, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Families of toddlers and infants know the need for stable sittingapparatuses. This need further extends away from the home, whether avisit to friends or family or an out of town trip or vacation.

The prior art contains several devices intended to be used as sittingsupport devices for infants and young children, ranging from pillow likedevices to be placed around the middle of the infant that also double asnursing pillows and infant propping devices, to devices designedspecifically for the developmental stage when infants are first learningto sit upright.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with aspect of the present disclosure, an inflatable seathaving a concavity for supporting an infant is provided. The inflatableseat includes an inflatable base section having a flat bottom surfaceconfigured to rest on a support surface and an upper perimeter region,and an inflatable upper section having a longitudinal center line. Insome embodiments, the inflatable upper section includes front and backwalls and first and second side walls each upwardly extending from theupper perimeter region of the inflatable base section. The upper ends ofthe side walls form in some embodiments a generally oval, forwardlyfacing opening of the concavity. The concavity can be formed by acontiguous support surface that includes a rearwardly inclined backsupport surface section and a forwardly inclined front support surfacesection.

In some embodiments, the support surface has a general curvature fromthe upper end of the first side wall to the upper end of the second sidewall as the support surface extends from the front wall to the backwall.

In some embodiments, the flat bottom surface is ovally shaped.

In some embodiments, the upper perimeter region is generally ovallyshaped.

In some embodiments, the inflatable upper section is symmetrical aboutthe longitudinal center line.

In some embodiments, the seat further comprises an infant restraintmounted to the upper section.

In some embodiments, the seat further comprises a headrest positioned onthe a rearwardly inclined back support surface section.

In some embodiments, the seat further comprises a removable, flexiblecover that extends over at least the upper section.

In some embodiments, the flexible cover includes one or a theme andpattern.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, aninflatable seat having a concavity for supporting an infant is provided.The inflatable seat includes an inflatable base section having an flat,ovally shaped, bottom surface configured to rest on a support surface,and an ovally shaped, upper perimeter region, and an inflatable uppersection having a longitudinal center line. In some embodiments, theinflatable upper section includes outwardly curved front and back wallsand first and second side walls each upwardly extending from the upperperimeter region of the inflatable base section. The upper ends of theside walls in some embodiments form a generally oval, forwardly facingopening of the concavity. The inflatable seat in some embodiments mayalso include a removable, flexible cover that extends over at least theupper section, and in some embodiments, extends over both the basesection and the upper section.

In some embodiments, the forwardly facing opening is disposed generallytransverse to the inflatable base section.

In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the concavity includes acontiguous support surface having a rearwardly inclined back supportsurface section and a forwardly inclined front support surface section.

In some embodiments, the inflatable upper section is symmetrical aboutthe longitudinal center line.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, aninflatable seat is provided. The inflatable seat includes an inflatableseat structure defining a concavity suitably dimensioned and configuredfor receiving and supporting an infant, and an outer covering disposedover at least the concavity of the inflatable seat structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of one example of a collapsible seatformed in accordance with aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the collapsible seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the collapsible seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the collapsible seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the collapsible seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the collapsible seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is view of the collapsible seat rolled into a compact, easy totransport condition;

FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of an inflatable seatstructure formed in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of the inflatable seat structure of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the inflatable seat structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the inflatable seat structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a side view of inflatable seat structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a front view of inflatable seat structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross section view of the inflatable seatstructure of FIG. 8, taken along the lines 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of inflatable seat structure of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 16 is a lateral cross section of the inflatable seat structure ofFIG. 8, taken along the lines 16-16 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a lateral cross section of the inflatable seat structure ofFIG. 8, taken along the lines 17-17 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a lateral cross section of the inflatable seat structure ofFIG. 8, taken along the lines 18-18 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another example of a collapsible seatformed in accordance with aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views of still another embodiment of an inflatableseat structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings where like numerals reference like elements is intended as adescription of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter andis not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageousover other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein arenot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter tothe precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein maybe interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in orderto achieve the same or substantially similar result.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art,however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some or all of the specific details. In someinstances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail inorder not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may employ any combination of features describedherein.

One representative embodiment of a collapsible seat, generallydesignated 20, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure isillustrated in FIG. 1. Generally described, the collapsible seat 20comprises a bottom 24, sides 26 that upwardly extend from around theperimeter of the bottom 24, and a top 28. The top 28, in cooperationwith the sides 26 in some embodiments form a concavity 32 suitablydimensioned and configured for receiving and supporting an infant and/orthe like. An optional restraint 36 and a headrest 40 may be provided tosecure the infant while placed in the cavity 30 and to support the headof the infant, respectively. As will be described in more detail below,the collapsible seat 20 is configured so as to obtain a relativelycompact unit for convenient storage and easy transportation duringperiods of non-use, as shown in FIG. 7.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 8-15, one example of the collapsible seat 20will be described in more detail. As best shown in FIG. 2, the seat 20may comprise an inflatable seat structure 46 and an outer covering 50.The inflatable seat structure 46 may be formed by an inflatable basesection 54 mountable below an inflatable upper section 56. Theinflatable base section 54 in one embodiment is generally oval, as shownin the bottom view of FIG. 11, and is generally symmetrical about itslongitudinal axis. The inflatable base section 54 may be formed withrounded side walls 60 that interconnect generally flat, parallellydisposed bottom and top walls 62 and 64. The flat bottom wall 62includes a bottom surface configured to be supported by a supportsurface, such as a floor of a room, a top of a table, etc. The bottomwall 62, side walls 60, and top wall 64 are constructed of animpermeable, flexible material, such as polyethylene or plasticizedpolyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and are glue bonded, adhesive bonded,heat sealed, or otherwise connected in order to form an air tight cavity68 (See FIG. 14). The inflatable base section 54 is sized and configuredfor having the strength and stability to support the weight of theinflatable upper section 56 and infant when in use. An air valve 74 isprovided for inflating and deflating the air tight cavity 68 of theinflatable base 54.

The inflatable upper section 56 is glue bonded, adhesive bonded, heatsealed, or otherwise connected to the inflatable base 54. The uppersection 56 is comprised of a bottom wall 76 (optional), side walls 78, afront wall 80, a back wall 82, and an upper or top wall 84. The walls76-84 are formed of an impermeable flexible material, such aspolyethylene or plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and can beeasily fabricated and joined by glue bonding, adhesive bonding, or heatsealing techniques known in the art, among others, in order to form anair tight cavity 88 (See FIG. 14). The inflatable upper section 56includes a resealable air valve 86 disposed in fluid communication withthe cavity 88. Alternatively, the upper section 56 and the base 54 maybe interconnected in such a way as to permit inflation of via one of theresealable air valves 74 or 86.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, 14 and 16, the walls 78-82 of theinflatable upper section 56 upwardly extend from an outer perimeterregion of the base section 54. In the embodiment shown, the outerperimeter region of the base section 54 is generally oval. The outersurfaces of the walls 78-82 each have an outward or somewhat convexcurvature, the back wall 82 extending higher than the front wall 80, andwith a generally wider curve. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the uppersection 54 is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

The top ends of the walls 78-82 define an oval or egg-shaped opening 92of a concavity or well 90 when inflated. In the embodiment shown, thewell 90 is somewhat shaped like an oval bowl, formed by the concave topwall 84. In that regard, the outer perimeter of the top wall 84 isgenerally oval or egg-shaped, and is cooperatively sized to interfacewith top ends of the walls 78-82, thereby forming the opening of thewell 90. As shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 16, the top wall84 generally curves in a concave manner from side wall 78A to side wall78B as the top wall 84 extends from the front wall 80 to the back wall82. In some embodiments, the top ends of the side walls 78A and 78B,along with the front wall 80 and top wall 82, contiguously connect tothe outer, oval perimeter of top wall 84 via a top surface 94. As thetop wall 84 extends from the front wall 80 to the back wall 82, the topwall 84 forms a shorter, frontwardly inclined front inner wall section96 (curved from side wall to side wall as shown, for example, in FIG.16) that supports the infants legs, and a longer, generally backwardlyinclined, inner wall section 98 (curved from side wall to side wall asshown, for example, in FIGS. 16-18) that supports the infants back, asshown in the longitudinal cross-section view of FIG. 14. The inner wallsections 96 and 98 join at the bottom 100 of the well with a generalcurvature for supporting the buttocks region of the infant. In oneembodiment, the curvature has a radius of between about 120 mm and 180mm along the longitudinal center line or axis, designated 104 in FIG.10, of the upper section 56.

As inflated, the well 90 is suitably dimensioned and configured forreceiving and supporting an infant and/or the like while lying in asomewhat prone to inclined, forwardly facing position. In someembodiments, the back inner wall section 98 of the well 90 supports theinfant at an inclined angle of between about ten (10) degrees and about60 degrees, although other angles of inclination are within the scope ofthe disclosed subject matter. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, thewell 90 is sized and configured to somewhat cradle and ensconce theinfant in a somewhat seated but inclined, supporting position whenplaced therein.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate another embodiment of the inflatable seatstructure 146. The inflatable seat structure is substantially similar tothe inflatable seat structure 46 except for the differences that willnow be explained. As shown in FIGS. 20A-20B, the upper or top wall 84 ofupper section 56 described above is optional. In that regard, the topwall 164 of base section 154 may form the bottom surface of theconcavity 190. As such, the front, back, and side walls 178-182 have asomewhat tubular shape, defining cavity 188. In this embodiment, thecavity 188 is generally shaped as an oval ring.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, the inflatable seat 20 may optionallyinclude the outer covering 50. The outer covering 50 is sized andconfigured to overlay at least the upper section 56 is a somewhat snugfashion so as to be somewhat secured to the upper section 56 when theupper section 56 is generally inflated, and in some embodiments, whenthe upper section 56 is fully inflated. In one embodiment, the outercovering 50 is lace locked to the upper section 56. Alternatively oradditionally, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc., may be used in otherembodiments to releasably secure the outer covering 50 to the uppersection 56. As best shown in the rear view of FIG. 6, the covering 50may provide access to the resealable valve 86. In other, embodiments,the outer covering 50 may be sized and configured to overlay both thebase section 54 and the upper section 56. In some embodiments, the outercovering 50 overlays both the upper section 56 and base section 54, asshown in FIG. 19.

Preferably, the outer covering 50 may be generally soft to the touch andaesthetically pleasing to the infant and/or the like. In one embodiment,the outer covering 50 is constructed from a durable fabric, such asCordura®. Other materials may be additionally or alternatively employed,including fleece, Polar fleece or other microfiber material, wool, lambswool, cotton, nylon, polyester, etc. The outer covering 50 may bedesigned with patterns, such as stripes, Polka dots, among others, ormay be themed, such as with general characters, such as a mouse, cat,dog, etc., or with branded themes such as Disney® characters and thelike.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the collapsible seat 20 may includeadditional features, such as a restraint 36 and/or a head rest 40. Inthe embodiment shown, the head rest 40 is a pillow or other head supportstructure capable of supporting the infant's head when the infant isplaced in the well 90. The head rest 40 is stitched or otherwise securedto the covering 50 at a position on the back wall 92. In someembodiment, the head rest 40 can be an inflatable body, foam padding,and/or the like, and covered, for example, with a soft fabric covering.

The restraint 36 may be any restraint currently employed in infant,baby, and or toddler seats, for restraining the infant in the seat 20when placed therein. The restraint 36 may also support the infant in agenerally inclined position, among others. In some embodiments, therestraint 36 may include a harness system of the three point type or thefive point type. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the restraint 36includes leg openings and straps that are positionable around theinfant's waist or stomach. The restraint 36 may be stitched or otherwisesecured to the outer covering 50 at a proximal portion of the well 90.In other embodiments, the restraint 36 and the head rest 40 arereleasably secured to the outer covering 50 in any of a variety ofconnection techniques known in the art.

Using the collapsible seat 20, which is constructed in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure, will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 1-19. When the collapsible seat 20 is not in use, thecollapsible seat 20 can be stored in a deflated condition. In thedeflated condition, the collapsible seat 20 can be folded, rolled, orotherwise manipulated into a compact, stowable, condition, including,floor example, as shown in FIG. 7. If desired, the collapsible seat 20in the compact, stowable, condition can be placed within a storage bagfor easy transport, etc. In embodiments where the headrest 40 and/or therestraint 36 are removable, these features may be removed prior todeflating and placed within the storage bag for subsequent use. In someembodiments, the collapsible seat 20 includes straps 108 or otherstructure that maintains the collapsible seat 20 in the compact,stowable, condition. In these embodiments and others, the straps orother structure may either be attached to the seat 20, or detached fromthe seat 20.

When the collapsible seat 20 is needed for supporting an infant or thelike, the base 54 and the upper section 56 are inflated via the valves74 and 86. This can be readily accomplished by manually exhaling intothe valves 74, 86 or by using an auxiliary air system, such as an airpump or with the exhaust port of a wet/dry vacuum. The inflation of thebase 54 and upper section 56 will cause the collapsible seat 20 toexpand, thereby erecting the walls and forming the well 90. The optionalcover 50 may then be placed over at least the upper section 56, and insome embodiments, over both the base section 54 and the upper section56. The infant may then be placed within the well 90, and if employed,the infant may be positioned so as to be restrained by the restraint 36and/or have its head supported by the headrest 40.

After use of the collapsible seat 20 and the infant is removed from thecollapsible seat 20, the collapsible seat 20 may be deflated by openingthe air valves 74 and 86, permitting air within the cavities 68 and 88to be released. After the collapsible seat 20 is deflated, thecollapsible seat 20 may then be folded, rolled or otherwise manipulatedinto a relatively compact unit for convenient storage and transportduring periods of non-use. Prior to storing the collapsible seat 20, thecollapsible seat 20 may be cleaned and/or sanitized, as desired.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An inflatable seathaving a concavity for supporting an infant, comprising: an inflatablebase section having a flat bottom surface configured to rest on asupport surface and an upper perimeter region; and an inflatable uppersection having a longitudinal center line, the inflatable upper sectionincluding front and back walls and first and second side walls eachupwardly extending from the upper perimeter region of the inflatablebase section, the upper ends of the side walls forming a generally oval,forwardly facing opening of the concavity, wherein the concavity isformed by a contiguous support surface that includes a rearwardlyinclined back support surface section and a forwardly inclined frontsupport surface section.
 2. The inflatable seat of claim 1, wherein thesupport surface has a general curvature from the upper end of the firstside wall to the upper end of the second side wall as the supportsurface extends from the front wall to the back wall.
 3. The inflatableseat of claim 1, wherein the flat bottom surface is ovally shaped. 4.The inflatable seat of claim 1, wherein the upper perimeter region isgenerally ovally shaped.
 5. The inflatable seat of claim 1, wherein theinflatable upper section is symmetrical about the longitudinal centerline.
 6. The inflatable seat of claim 1, further comprising an infantrestraint mounted to the upper section.
 7. The inflatable seat of claim1, further comprising a headrest positioned on the a rearwardly inclinedback support surface section.
 8. The inflatable seat of claim 1, furthercomprising a removable, flexible cover that extends over at least theupper section.
 9. The inflatable seat of claim 8, wherein the flexiblecover includes one or a theme and pattern.
 10. An inflatable seat havinga concavity for supporting an infant, comprising: an inflatable basesection having an flat, ovally shaped, bottom surface configured to reston a support surface, and an ovally shaped, upper perimeter region; aninflatable upper section having a longitudinal center line, theinflatable upper section including outwardly curved front and back wallsand first and second side walls each upwardly extending from the upperperimeter region of the inflatable base section, the upper ends of theside walls forming a generally oval, forwardly facing opening of theconcavity; and a removable, flexible cover that extends over at leastthe upper section.
 11. The inflatable seat of claim 10, wherein theforwardly facing opening is disposed generally transverse to theinflatable base section.
 12. The inflatable seat of claim 10, wherein abottom surface of the concavity includes a contiguous support surfacehaving a rearwardly inclined back support surface section and aforwardly inclined front support surface section.
 13. The inflatableseat of claim 12, wherein the inflatable upper section is symmetricalabout the longitudinal center line.
 14. An inflatable seat, comprising:an inflatable seat structure defining a concavity suitably dimensionedand configured for receiving and supporting an infant; and an outercovering disposed over at least the concavity of the inflatable seatstructure.